Jack Vaughan
We were greatly shocked and very much saddened to learn of the sudden passing on 17th May 1983 of Commodore Jack Vaughan. Commodore Vaughan, as readers may remember, retired on 20th of August 1981 after 44 years service with the company. he joined the Quebec city at Wrexham in September 1937 and three years later when still an apprentice he was on the Fresno city when she was part of the Jervis Bay convoy which was attacked in the North Atlantic by the German Pocket Battleship Admiral von Sheer. Commodore Vaughan suffered injuries to his hand in a lifeboat fall for when lowering the boats. he spent four days in the lifeboat and was picked up by the MV Gloucester city which had become detached from another convoy and which had picked up 109 people from different ships sunk by the Pocket Battleship.
By the end of the war, Jack Vaughan was second officer on the ss Orient City. he was promoted to chief officer of the Devon city in May 1948 and his first command was the Queen city in November 1961. After that time Jack Vaughan superintended new buildings on the Clyde between 1966 and 1971, returning to sea on the mv Orient Cityin January 1971. these final voyage before retirement was on the mv Port Alberni City. Altogether he served in thirty-three of the Company's vessels during his service with Reardon Smith Line.
Welsh born, but a resident of Wembury near Plymouth Jack Vaughan was a well respected and well liked member of our staff, who will be remembered with great affection by all who knew him. Our deepest sympathy is extended to Mrs Vaughan and his three children at this sad time.
Printed in the Reardon Smith Newsletter No.160. September 1983.